Pizza eating reigns at Calhoun Co. Expo

Thompson eats it all

July 14, 2013

ROCKWELL CITY - Jake Thompson, of Rockwell City, managed to do something Saturday afternoon that until then, had not been done in the entire 11-year history of the pizza eating contest at the Calhoun County Expo.

He finished an entire large Pizza Ranch cheese pizza in less than 3 minutes.

"It's a great accomplishment," he said.

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Anthony Ellis, 13, of Rockwell City, looks like he might be getting full Saturday afternoon during the annual pizza eating contest at the Calhoun County Expo in Rockwell City. Ellis won the junior division.

Jake Thompson, of Rockwell City, is the look of concentration as he swallows his last doubled up slice of pizza Saturday afternoon during the annual pizza eating contest at the Calhoun County Expo in Rockwell City. Thompson said one of the keys to his success was lots of water to wash down the pizza.

He's no stranger to eating contests, he said that eating for quantity is a lot easier than eating for speed. In addition, using the provided bottle of water helps. He pre-staged the entire pie by doubling up the slices into topping to topping pairs and separating them.

He seemed none the worse for wear.

"I feel pretty good," he said. "Usually, it's a lot harder.

Travis Sandahl, of Rockwell City, competed too. He managed to finish six slices in the allotted time.

He came prepared.

"I didn't eat all day," he said. "I was ready."

John Fasano, general manager of the Rockwell City Pizza Ranch, said the rules for the contest were simple. Each contestant had 3 minutes to eat as much pizza as they could.

"Any method is fine," he said.

First prize? More pizza.

"They get a free pizza a month for a year," he said.

Anthony Ellis, 13, of Rockwell City, won the junior division. His plan was simple.

"I'm going to finish," he said.

While he came a few slices short of the entire pie, he did plan on polishing it off later.

The finishing of the entire pizza by Thompson impressed Fasano.

"That was amazing," he said.

Sandahl was a bit taken back too. "He was an eating machine," he said.